Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-09-23
SENATOR FAULKNER'S ADDRESS.

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We are glad to have an opportunity t
publish a report of the speech delivered
by Senator Chas. j. Faulkner, OF thl
State, at Morgau's Grove last week
While rot verbatim copy of his adj
dress, the main points alluded TO by
him are given as closely as we could OBJ
tain them. Senator Faulkner spoke sub
stantiauy as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen We have as
sembled on this occasion, not to com.
memorate some startling or brilliant
event in the worlds history, nor are we
here to do honor to the memory of, or tC
testify our admiration for, the achieve
ments of some warrior, statesman OF
public benefactor of the race, who, like
the dazzling meteor, has shot athwart
the heavens, attracting the admiring
gaze Of his countrymen.
Our gathering, my friends, is for a
more practical and rational purpose. 1t
is that those of kindred minds may here
discuss the needs of the present in the
light of experience, and from the infor-
nation thus acquired-to some extent at
least-avoid the errors of the past; that
we may be informed, by observation, OF
the improvements which the genius and
energy of the skillful.inventor and me-
chanc have made in those labor-saviDg
implements on which our great national
industry depends, to meet the COMPETE
ton of the world, caused by the intro
duction of steam as the agency in the
transportation of the staple commodi-
ties.
1--WE may here, in this presence, with
minds fully alive to the vast Importance
of the subject, and with intellect sharp
ened by the sense Of a deep personal in
terest, discuss the subject of husbandry
in it's various aspects, as affected by leg
islation; by mixed farming; by the ro-
tation Of crops, AS well as the effect of
the application of commercial fertili-
zers. On these grounds, we may i'm
agine the Improvements invented DUR
ing the last twelve months in agriCul-
tural machinery, :cst their relative value,
observe the effect of careful breeding of
stock, and behold the skill and ingenui-
ty of the fair daughters of your county.
These, my friends, are some of the
reasons influencing the Board of Mana
gers, to invite you to lay aside, for day
or two, the ordinary labors Of the sea-
son, to join with them in an earnest ef-
fort to improve and elevate the charac-
ter and intelligence of the American
farmer.
A broad, conservative, intelligent and
personal appreciation of the benefits
which must necessarily result from the
friction, caused by the contact of mind
with mind, of experience with expert
ence, of observation with observation,
is in abundant justification for the time,
the labor and annoyance, which The sue
cessiul control of these reunions impose
upon them. You have shown, ladies
and gentlemen, BY your presence, that
you fully appreciate their efforts, and it
now becomes my pleasant duty, in the
name and on behalf Of the Board of
Managers, to express to you their graf
ification at meeting you upon this occa
sion, and to extend to you warm and
hospitable welcome to this beautiful
grove, and to invite you, not only to the
enjoyment OF personal intercourse Of
friends with friends, but to ask your
more serious attention TO the practical
object which they have in View in the
exhibition of everything calculated to
interest and instruct the agriculturist,
all of which is offered to you without
money and without price.
1t is not my purpose, nor have l been
invited, to deliver an agricultural adj
dress, but, with your permission, will
trespass for few moments upon your
patience, in giving expression to some
reflections which have occurred to me
in connection with the interest Of agri-
culture; for which, however, l now be-
speak your most lenient criticism.
The American farmer Of to-day is en-
gagged in one of the most essential and
important occupations that can claim
the attention or stimulate the energy of
any class of citizens of our Republic.
This is true, whether you consider his
occupation in national, financial or
moral aspect. The history of all na-
tions will, to the careful student, sus-
tain this proposition: that the most per-
manent and progressive civilization ;
the highest and loftiest patriotism; the
most uncompromising spirit Of personal
independence and love of civil liberty ;
and the highest degree of financial pros
perity, have been found in those na-
tions, both ancient and modern, where
husbandry has been encouraged and fos-
tered by wise and prudent laws, the
dignity of the occupation of agriculture
recognized, and the ownership of land
held by the great body of her citizens.
In the United States, to-day, the eyes
of the people instinctively turn to the
weekly reports of the Agricultural Bu-
reau. estimating the condition OF the